The Sat Report: Pope Francis stable, no longer on mechanical ventilation

Let us all continue to pray for Pope Francis

On day 17 of his hospital stay, Pope Francis is in a stable condition and no longer requires non-invasive mechanical ventilation after going into acute respiratory distress on Friday. This is good news. He still requires high flow oxygen to maintain his blood oxygen saturations, however.

The risk of deterioration due to a potential aspiration pneumonia means that he remains in critical condition.

Pope Francis on February 14, the date of his admission to hospital (Vatican Media)

Outside of oxygen therapy and chest physio, we don’t really know what treatment the Pope is on, and whether or not he still receiving antibiotics for bilateral pneumonia. We should get a clearer picture on this later this week, if the Pope continues to remain stable. Let us pray that he does.

Here is today’s statement from the Holy See Press Office in full:

"Today, too, the Holy Father's clinical condition has remained stable. The Pope has not required non-invasive mechanical ventilation, but only supplemental high-flow oxygenation. He does not have a fever.

Given the complexity of the clinical picture, the prognosis remains guarded.

This morning, the Holy Father participated in Holy Mass, together with those who have been caring for him during these days of hospitalization. Afterward, he alternated rest with prayer."

Earlier in the day the Vatican released the text for today’s Angelus where the Holy Father thanks God for this moment of suffering, and the blessing of frailty, which has enabled him to share the “condition of so many sick and suffering people.” The Pope also thanked the faithful for their prayers, which he says have “carried and supported him.”

“Sisters and brothers, I am still sending you these thoughts from the hospital, where as you know I have been for several days, accompanied by doctors and healthcare professionals, whom I thank for the attention with which they are taking care of me. I feel in my heart the “blessing” that is hidden within frailty, because it is precisely in these moments that we learn even more to trust in the Lord; at the same time, I thank God for giving me the opportunity to share in body and spirit the condition of so many sick and suffering people.

I would like to thank you for the prayers, which rise up to the Lord from the hearts of so many faithful from many parts of the world: I feel all your affection and closeness and, at this particular time, I feel as if I am “carried” and supported by all God’s people. Thank you all!”

In the afternoon Pope Francis was visited by the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and the Substitute, Msgr. Edgar Pena Parra.

This evening the seventh of the nightly rosaries for the health of Pope Francis has held in St. Peter’s Square, tonight led by Konrad Cardinal Krajewski, Papal Almoner,, with the some of the Roman Curia and most of the other Cardinals resident in Rome in attendance.

Let us all please continue to pray for the Pope, whose condition is critical, during this very trying time for him.

Oremus pro Pontifice nostro Francisco. Dominus conservet eum, et vivificet eum, et beatum faciat eum in terra, et non tradat eum in animam inimicorum eius.